News: Potential offseason trade targets for the 2016 Dallas Cowboys

[CCBoy]

Potential offseason trade targets for the 2016 Dallas Cowboys

http://cowboyswire.usatoday.com/201...on-trade-targets-for-the-2016-dallas-cowboys/



The Cowboys are no stranger to making trades heading into and during the regular season. They have acquired players like Charles Haley, Keyshawn Johnson, Joey Galloway, Scott Fujita, Terry Glenn, Adam Pac-Man Jones, Roy Williams and Jon Kitna. Some of these trades cost Dallas a pretty penny and potentially some playmakers through the draft.

Acknowledging this, the Cowboys seemed to have undergone a front office culture change. With Stephen Jones more involved in the transactions, the Cowboys have begun a more calculative approach in all phases.

While searching for bargains, the Cowboys have been more consistent in making deals. Since 2012, the Cowboys have made nine trades with at least one coming in each season/offseason. Most notably through these acquisitions are Rolando McClain. McClain has started at middle linebacker the past two seasons and resurrected his career. Brice Butler, who could put up a strong fight for the WR2 spot came from Oakland after Dez Bryant broke his foot in Week 1 last season and Matt Cassel, whom the Cowboys put their trust in last season to lead the team. Each has had varied levels of success.

The most the Cowboys gave up for any of those players recently? A 5th round pick. However, if the price is right and the player is productive, that price could indeed go up.

The Cowboys could stand to get better on all levels and there are players who have more trade potential than others given the Cowboys’ needs. Here is a list of potential trade targets for the Cowboys this season:

Willie Young, DE, Chicago Bears

ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 12: Willie Young #97 of the Chicago Bears sacks Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on October 12, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

While it may not be ideal to trade for a 30-year-old, Willie Young would provide a veteran presence and enough firepower to outlast the time gap before Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence return.

Over the past two seasons with the Chicago Bears, Young has produced some solid years. In 2014 in a 4-3 defense, Young recorded 10 sacks which tied for 15th best in the league along with DeMarcus Ware, Junior Galette and Marcell Dareus. In 2015, the Bears switched to a 3-4 defense which displaced Young to an OLB yet, he still recorded 6.5 sacks and an INT which he returned for 39 yards.

In the Dallas defense, Young would fit nicely in a rotational role upon the return of Lawrence and Gregory. If there is anything the NFL has taught coaches, it’s that one can never have enough pass rushers...

 

[CCBoy]

...Dwight Freeney, DE

The Cardinals signed Freeney last year in October to add depth to their already talented defensive line. Freeney racked up eight sacks in 11 games played which led the team and another sack in the divisional playoff game against the Packers. As a situational pass rusher, Freeney could give the Cowboys some much-needed help early in the season. Marinelli talks about the eight-man rotation, Freeney (36) is getting long in the tooth but it's hard not to think he could carve himself out a role on this defensive line that is void of proven talent. He has already made it known that he plans on playing in 2016 as long as it's for a team that can contend.

At this point, Freeney knows that he still has value to teams because the wily veteran still has the knack to beat blockers and get to the quarterback. The biggest question mark the Cowboys have is that very skill. Maybe he's too old to some, but he can still get it done in a reduced role. Eight sacks, by the way, is good enough to lead this team, too.

Mike Neal, OLB/DE

Neal is a versatile player that can line up just about anywhere and be effective. He's not one of those players that are going to get the masses excited but if brought in as part of a rotation, he may make you proud. He finished last season with 36 tackles, four sacks, and a forced fumble. Some may scoff at that but the Cowboys have been a bottom-feeding pass rush for quite some time now. Nobody should be scoffing at anyone at this point. Neal is only 28-years old and seems like the type of signing that the Cowboys would make. A guy with a history of being productive, although not outstanding, something similar to what they had with Jeremy Mincey.


The Cowboys are not desperate for anyone at this point, but having another productive veteran could be the perfect two-year bridge player to the next round of pass rush talent currently in their rookie seasons.

Leon Hall, CB

Hall has already had a meeting with the Cowboys but they were in no hurry to sign the 31-year old. He's been a steady player throughout his career with the Bengals. The Cowboys were looking to add a veteran cornerback in free agency but weren't able to execute. Brandon Carr reduced his salary in order to help the team but Hall could still be of service to them in a multitude of ways. One particular spot for Hall is as the slot cornerback, which would effectively allow Orlando Scandrick to stay on the outside.

Though they were able to talk Carr into the reduction, the Cowboys still may not be done at cornerback. They have drafted Anthony Brown, a guy who they believe is very athletic and could help them. However, they are still only one injury away from serious question marks. The secondary isn't all that strong to begin with, Hall could be a low-cost late addition to the roster that can give the Cowboys a little breathing room...


http://www.bloggingtheboys.com/2016...o-the-cowboys-should-consider-before-training

 

[BAT]

Would love to trade for a true War Daddy like Muhammad Wilkerson. But Cowboys are bargain bin shoppers in FA and player trades now that Stephen is running the show.

 

[CCBoy]

NFC Scout: Cowboys drafted one of the best players late
http://thelandryhat.com/2016/05/15/nfc-scout-cowboys-drafted-one-of-the-best-players-late/



A lot was made about the defensive end position and how the Dallas Cowboys would go about upgrading it over the offseason. It was made clear earlier in the offseason that Greg Hardy wasn't going return to Big D in 2016. The move may surprise some to a degree, but Hardy's on-field performance did not cancel out the type of nuisance he was in the locker room.
The Cowboys are all about picking the "Right Kinda Guys" as Jason Garrett likes to say, and while Hardy has never been that guy, signing him in free agency was seen as a move that could put this team over the top and elevate them to one that could win a Super Bowl. After choosing to go on without Hardy, there were some minor rumors that the Cowboys were interested in signing Olivier Vernon or Mario Williams. But after both players were overpaid in free agency and the Cowboys decided that overspending for a defensive end was not the smartest idea, the draft became the place where the Cowboys could bring in a pass rusher.

The need was pressing and the suspensions to both DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory made it even more pressing. But Dallas didn't budge, choosing not to spend one of their early picks on a defensive end, choosing instead to select Charles Tapper in the fourth round. The logic of "production by all and not one" became abundantly clear. And despite what some may think, the Cowboys have some defensive ends on their roster that can perform and make an impact, and their names don't end in Lawrence or Gregory...

 

[Silver N Blue]

Freeney makes sense but he could be gased after the first four games. A guy like Neal could fill in and keep that veteran reassuring precence going all year long.

 

[Jarv]

A safety to pair with Jones would be my number 1 target, just not sure what is available? Maybe for a Leary trade.

 

[Stash]

I'm all for signing Dwight Freeney. As he's a free agent, I'm confused as to why he's listed in a list citing 'trades', but whatever.

This team needs pass rush and there's no better available option on the market right now than a guy who had 8 sacks in 11 games.

Keep him healthy and well-rested and pick your spots with him, just like Arizona did. I think he serves a much bigger role than a Jack Crawford would at this point.

Dallas has signed 'bridge players' recently, like Mincey, Hayden, and Durant to hold the fort until a younger option is found, and they should do so again.

I think signing Freeney makes a ton of sense.

 

[Doc50]

NFC Scout: Cowboys drafted one of the best players late
http://thelandryhat.com/2016/05/15/nfc-scout-cowboys-drafted-one-of-the-best-players-late/



A lot was made about the defensive end position and how the Dallas Cowboys would go about upgrading it over the offseason. It was made clear earlier in the offseason that Greg Hardy wasn't going return to Big D in 2016. The move may surprise some to a degree, but Hardy's on-field performance did not cancel out the type of nuisance he was in the locker room.
The Cowboys are all about picking the "Right Kinda Guys" as Jason Garrett likes to say, and while Hardy has never been that guy, signing him in free agency was seen as a move that could put this team over the top and elevate them to one that could win a Super Bowl. After choosing to go on without Hardy, there were some minor rumors that the Cowboys were interested in signing Olivier Vernon or Mario Williams. But after both players were overpaid in free agency and the Cowboys decided that overspending for a defensive end was not the smartest idea, the draft became the place where the Cowboys could bring in a pass rusher.

The need was pressing and the suspensions to both DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory made it even more pressing. But Dallas didn't budge, choosing not to spend one of their early picks on a defensive end, choosing instead to select Charles Tapper in the fourth round. The logic of "production by all and not one" became abundantly clear. And despite what some may think, the Cowboys have some defensive ends on their roster that can perform and make an impact, and their names don't end in Lawrence or Gregory...

Agree on Tapper; he could really be a steal and a major contributor this year.

The fact that the Cowboys haven't made some the available FA moves indicates that they are happy with the health and abilities and options on their current roster. That's a good sign.

BTW, CC -- thanks for always searching out and posting input from other sources, we can usually find everything right here.

 

[Canadian BoyzFan]

Ronald Leary and a pick for Jimmy Graham.

 

[Bowdown27]

Would love to trade for a true War Daddy like Muhammad Wilkerson. But Cowboys are bargain bin shoppers in FA and player trades now that Stephen is running the show.

I would love that trade but I doubt we give up a high pick and then shell out a big contract to him. Not our style anymore.